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The Stephens Law Firm Accident Lawyers

Houston Side Swipe Accident Lawyer

Joe is one of the few Texas lawyers that is double board certified.

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Content Reviewed by: Joe Stephens

Last Updated: December 16, 2025
Table of Contents

Side swipe crashes are common in Houston’s heavy traffic, and they can leave you hurt and unsure about what to do next. These accidents occur daily on roads like I-10, I-45, and 610, particularly when drivers merge or change lanes without paying attention to their surroundings. If you are looking for a Houston sideswipe accident lawyer, you may be dealing with pain, car damage, and pressure from insurance companies all at the same time.

Joe Stephens understands what you are going through. With over 40 years of experience, Joe Stephens is a skilled Texas car accident lawyer who knows how to stand up to insurance companies and fight for the compensation you deserve. When you hire Joe and The Stephens Law Firm, you get personal attention, honest guidance, and a lawyer known across Texas for his results.

If you were sideswiped in Houston and need help, call (281) 201-0035 or reach out online for a free consultation with Joe Stephens.

When you’re recovering from a sideswipe crash, you need a lawyer with real experience and a proven track record. Joe Stephens is a double board-certified personal injury attorney, and insurance companies know his name and take his cases seriously.

He shields clients from aggressive insurance tactics, collects the evidence needed to prove fault, and works to ensure injured drivers are treated fairly from the very beginning. His deep familiarity with Houston and the greater Houston area’s roads, traffic patterns, and high-risk merging areas helps him quickly pinpoint what went wrong in lane-change and blind-spot collisions.

As a boutique firm, Joe and The Stephens Law Firm provide the kind of personal attention larger firms often can’t. When you call, you get direct communication, straightforward guidance, and representation from an attorney who has spent decades standing up for Texas accident victims.

Our Case Results

Joe Stephens has spent decades earning results for Texans who were hurt in car accidents, including sideswipe and lane-change crashes. When insurance companies refused to do what’s right, he took cases to trial and won verdicts that made a real difference for his clients.

A jury awarded $765,000 in a sideswipe accident case. The plaintiff, Yasira Sonnier, claimed that the defendant, Marquita Kinnel, failed to yield the right of way during a merge. The jury found in favor of the plaintiff, who suffered herniated discs in her neck and shoulder tendinosis. – Amount to Client: $195,579.

$765,000

Verdict

Car Accident

A Texas jury awarded $7.11 million in damages to Diane Perez after she was injured in a two-car accident with a Yellow Cab. The jury found the cab driver negligent and acting as an employee of Yellow Cab, despite the defense’s argument that he was an independent contractor.

$7,011,000

Verdict

Car Accident

A Texas jury awarded $1.275 million to Monica Jones, who was injured in a collision when Qinglai Wang ran a stop sign and struck her SUV in Katy. The jury found Wang negligent, and Jones’ injuries included herniated discs and a fractured tibia.

$1,275,000

Verdict

Car Accident

Our Client Testimonials

People across Houston and throughout Texas trust Joe and The Stephens Law Firm because they know he treats every case with honesty, compassion, and determination. Former clients describe how the firm stood by them, kept them informed, and fought to protect their futures when they needed help the most.

“I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Stephens and his team over two years ago. Although our circumstances for meeting were not for the best, I’m a firm believer that you cross paths with individuals for a reason. Mr. Stephens is a remarkable man. He is extremely honest, caring, and very loyal to his clients. His dedication is unmatched. He truly does put his clients’ best interests first. Mr. Stephens would constantly say, “The truth will always be the truth, it never changes”. The truth is: he has an amazing team. Although, my journey was extremely long. The Stephens Law firm did everything in their power to make it as seamless as possible for my family and me. I could never thank them enough for guiding me in seeking justice for my life-altering injuries due to a car accident. I guess it’s true what they say- “A great team is only as extraordinary as their leader”. I will forever be grateful! They have forever made a long-lasting impression on my family and I.”

Yasira Sonnier

“Following my car accident, I was concerned about getting help since I had my kids in the car at the time of the accident. However, Joe and his team was very supportive throughout the process. I was able to get help for both my kids and I,  which was unexpected, they really went above and beyond. I can’t recommend Mr Stephens enough”

Yedhit Vasquez

“Choosing Joe Stephens and his team based on reviews turned out to be the best decision I made after my car accident. From day one, they kept me informed and supported. Their dedication and tenacity in facing off against insurance companies were truly impressive. The settlement they negotiated for my family and me far exceeded our expectations, thanks to their expertise and unwavering commitment. Words cannot express our gratitude to this firm.”

Enver Urena

A side swipe accident occurs when a driver drifts or moves into another lane and strikes the side of a nearby vehicle. These crashes are especially common on busy Houston roadways, such as I-10, I-45, 610, and Beltway 8, where heavy traffic, narrow lanes, and fast merges leave very little room for mistakes. Even what appears to be a minor side impact can lead to serious injuries and costly damage, which is why understanding how these collisions occur is an important first step in determining who is at fault.

Side swipe crashes can happen in many everyday driving situations, especially on Houston’s busiest roads. These common scenarios can help explain how fault is determined in a Texas lane change accident:

  • Drivers changing lanes without checking mirrors or blind spots
  • Vehicles merging onto highways
  • Distracted driving causing a driver to drift out of their lane
  • Cars trying to move around parked vehicles or parallel parking
  • Drivers speeding through heavy traffic and cutting across lanes
  • Poor weather making it harder to see lane markings
  • Large trucks making wide turns or shifting in their lanes

Side swipe accidents may look minor at first, but they can cause real injuries that affect your daily life. When an injury limits your health, work, or daily activities, your claim value may increase since the law allows you to recover for all of the ways the accident has changed your life. These are some of the most common injuries we see after a side swipe crash:

Determining fault in a car accident can be confusing, especially when both drivers claim the other one moved out of their lane. Texas follows a modified comparative negligence rule. Each driver can be assigned a percentage of fault, and you can recover damages as long as you are 50% or less at fault. However, your compensation is reduced by your share of responsibility. If you are 51% or more at fault, you generally cannot recover compensation.

Here are examples of situations where both drivers might share some fault

  • A driver speeds up or slows down suddenly while another driver is changing lanes
  • Both drivers attempt to merge into the same lane at the same time
  • One driver fails to signal, and the other driver does not leave enough space

Having an experienced lawyer helps protect your rights and challenge unfair fault claims. Joe Stephens understands how insurance companies use lane-change disputes to shift blame, and he knows how to fight back.

After a side swipe accident, insurance companies may try to limit what they pay. Joe and The Stephens Law Firm know how to build strong cases that show the full impact of your injuries and losses. Joe pushes back against unfair insurance tactics and builds solid cases that show the full extent of your losses, helping you pursue the compensation you deserve.

We help maximize your recovery by focusing on every detail, including:

  • Gathering key evidence from the crash
  • Working with medical professionals to explain your injuries
  • Identifying all types of compensation tied to your treatment and lost wages
  • Showing how the accident affected your daily routine and future needs
  • Negotiating firmly with insurance companies
  • Going to trial if they refuse to make a fair offer

If you want to know what types of compensation you can recover after your car accident, you can call Joe Stephens for a free consultation any time.

Filing a claim after a side swipe crash can feel overwhelming, especially when you are dealing with pain, car repairs, and insurance pressure. This simple step-by-step guide helps you understand what to do and how Joe Stephens can support you along the way.

    1. Seek medical attention: Even if you feel okay, get checked by a doctor to document your injuries and protect your health
    2. Document the accident: Take photos, gather witness names, and write down what happened as soon as possible
    3. Notify your insurance company: Report the crash quickly, but avoid giving detailed statements before speaking with an attorney
    4. Contact an attorney: Reach out to Joe Stephens so he can guide you, protect your rights, and explain what comes next
    5. Negotiate or litigate: Joe works to resolve your claim through negotiation when possible, but he is fully prepared to take your case to court if needed

If you were sideswiped in Texas, it’s important to know that you only have a limited amount of time to file a claim. In most cases, you have two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit for your injuries or property damage. Waiting too long can prevent you from recovering any compensation.

Certain situations may shorten or extend this deadline, such as accidents involving minors, government vehicles, or severe injuries. Because these rules can be confusing, contacting Joe Stephens early helps ensure you understand your deadline and file your claim on time.

Contact Joe and The Stephens Law Firm for a Free Consultation

If you were sideswiped in Houston and need answers, Joe and The Stephens Law Firm is here to help. Joe offers free consultations, gives honest guidance, and charges no legal fees unless he wins your case. You can call (281) 201-0035, send a message through the online contact form, or reach out by email. Every case gets personal attention, and Joe will move quickly to protect your rights and start building your claim.

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